Use of inorganic acids with crosslinking agents in polymer modified asphalts

ABSTRACT

Asphalt and polymer mixtures treated with an inorganic acid and crosslinked with sulfur and/or other crosslinkers or accelerators gives a polymer modified asphalt with improved high temperature properties. The acid should be added to the asphalt before the crosslinker.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related in one non-limiting embodiment tohydrocarbon-based binders, such as bitumens, asphalts and tars, modifiedwith elastomers, and including a vulcanized stage, which areparticularly useful as industrial coatings and road bitumens, or thelike. It relates more particularly in another non-restrictive embodimentto processes for obtaining vulcanized compositions based on bitumens andon styrene/butadiene copolymers that have acid incorporated therein toimprove the properties of the resulting polymer modified asphalts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of bitumen (asphalt) compositions in preparing aggregatecompositions (including, but not just limited to, bitumen and rock)useful as road paving material is complicated by at least three factors,each of which imposes a serious challenge to providing an acceptableproduct. First, the bitumen compositions must meet certain performancecriteria or specifications in order to be considered useful for roadpaving. For example, to ensure acceptable performance, state and federalagencies issue specifications for various bitumen applications includingspecifications for use as road pavement. Current Federal HighwayAdministration specifications require a bitumen (asphalt) product tomeet defined parameters relating to properties such as viscosity,stiffness, penetration, toughness, tenacity and ductility. Each of theseparameters define a critical feature of the bitumen composition, andcompositions failing to meet one or more of these parameters will renderthat composition unacceptable for use as road pavement material.

Conventional bitumen compositions frequently cannot meet all of therequirements of a particular specification simultaneously and, if thesespecifications are not met, damage to the resulting road can occur,including, but not necessarily limited to, permanent deformation,thermally induced cracking and flexural fatigue. This damage greatlyreduces the effective life of paved roads.

In this regard, it has long been recognized that the properties ofconventional bitumen compositions can be modified by the addition ofother substances, such as polymers. A wide variety of polymers have beenused as additives in bitumen compositions. For example, copolymersderived from styrene and conjugated dienes, such as butadiene orisoprene, are particularly useful, since these copolymers have goodsolubility in bitumen compositions and the resulting modified-bitumencompositions have good rheological properties.

It is also known that the stability of polymer-bitumen compositions canbe increased by the addition of crosslinking agents (vulcanizing agents)such as sulfur, frequently in the form of elemental sulfur. It isbelieved that the sulfur chemically couples the polymer and the bitumenthrough sulfide and/or polysulfide bonds. The addition of extraneoussulfur may be helpful to produce improved stability, even thoughbitumens naturally contain varying amounts of native sulfur.

Thus, there are known processes for preparing a bitumen-polymercomposition consisting of mixing a bitumen, at temperatures of about266-446° F. (130-230° C.), with 2 to 20% by weight of a block or randomcopolymer, having an average molecular weight between 30,000 and300,000. The resulting mixture is stirred for at least two hours, andthen 0.1 to 3% by weight of sulfur relative to the bitumen is added andthe mixture agitated for at least 20 minutes. The quantity of addedsulfur can be from about 0.1 to 1.5% by weight with respect to thebitumen. The resulting bitumen-polymer composition is used forroad-coating, industrial coating, or other industrial applications.

Similarly, there are also known asphalt (bitumen) polymer compositionsobtained by hot-blending asphalt with from about 0.1 to 1.5% by weightof elemental sulfur and 1 to 7% by weight of a natural or syntheticrubber, which can be a linear butadiene/styrene copolymer. A process isadditionally known for preparing a rubber-modified bitumen by blendingrubber, either natural or synthetic, such as styrene/butadiene rubber,with bitumen at 280-400° F. (138-204° C.), in an amount up to 10% byweight based on the bitumen, then adjusting the temperature to 257-320°F. (125-160° C.), and intimately blending into the mix an amount ofsulfur such that the weight ratio of sulfur to rubber is between 0.01and 0.9. A catalytic quantity of a vulcanization-accelerator is alsoadded to effect vulcanization. A critical nature of the sulfur to rubberratio is sometimes reported, for instance that weight ratios of sulfurto rubber of less than 0.01 gives modified bitumen of inferior quality.

A second factor complicating the use of bitumen compositions concernsthe viscosity stability of such compositions under storage conditions.In this regard, bitumen compositions are frequently stored for up to 7days or more before being used and, in some cases, the viscosity of thecomposition can increase so much that the bitumen composition isunusable for its intended purpose. On the other hand, a storage stablebitumen composition would provide for only minimal viscosity increasesand, accordingly, after storage it can still be employed for itsintended purpose.

Asphaltic concrete, typically including asphalt and aggregate, asphaltcompositions for resurfacing asphaltic concrete, and similar asphaltcompositions must exhibit a certain number of specific mechanicalproperties to enable their use in various fields of application,especially when the asphalts are used as binders for superficial coats(road surfacing), as asphalt emulsions, or in industrial applications.(The term “asphalt” is used herein interchangeably with “bitumen.”Asphaltic concrete is asphalt used as a binder with appropriateaggregate added, typically for use in roadways.) The use of asphalt orasphalt emulsion binders either in maintenance facings as a surface coator as a very thin bituminous mix, or as a thicker structural layer ofbituminous mix in asphaltic concrete, is enhanced if these binderspossess the requisite properties such as desirable levels of elasticityand plasticity.

As noted, various polymers have been added to asphalts to improvephysical and mechanical performance properties. Polymer-modifiedasphalts (PMAs) are routinely used in the road construction/maintenanceand roofing industries. Conventional asphalts often do not retainsufficient elasticity in use and, also, exhibit a plasticity range thatis too narrow for use in many modern applications such as roadconstruction. It is known that the characteristics of road asphalts andthe like can be greatly improved by incorporating into them anelastomeric-type polymer which may be one such as butyl, polybutadiene,polyisoprene or polyisobutene rubber, ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer,polyacrylate, polymethacrylate, polychloroprene, polynorbornene,ethylene/propylene/diene (EPDM) terpolymer and advantageously a randomor block copolymer of styrene and a conjugated diene. The modifiedasphalts thus obtained commonly are referred to variously asbitumen/polymer binders or asphalt/polymer mixes. Modified asphalts andasphalt emulsions typically are produced utilizing styrene/butadienebased polymers, and typically have raised softening point, increasedviscoelasticity, enhanced force under strain, enhanced strain recovery,and improved low temperature strain characteristics as compared withnon-modified asphalts and asphalt emulsions.

The bituminous binders, even of the bitumen/polymer type, which arepresently employed in road applications often do not have the optimumcharacteristics at low enough polymer concentrations to consistentlymeet the increasing structural and workability requirements imposed onroadway structures and their construction. In order to achieve a givenlevel of modified asphalt performance, various polymers are added atsome prescribed concentration.

Current practice is to add the desired level of a single polymer,sometimes along with a reactant that promotes cross-linking of thepolymer molecules until the desired asphalt properties are met. Thisreactant typically is sulfur in a form suitable for reacting.

However, the cost of the polymer adds significantly to the overall costof the resulting asphalt/polymer mix. Thus, cost factors weigh in theability to meet the above criteria for various asphalt mixes. Inaddition, at increasing levels of polymer concentration, the workingviscosity of the asphalt mix becomes excessively great and separation ofthe asphalt and polymer may occur.

It is common in the preparation of polymer-modified asphalts to includeactivators and accelerators to make the crosslinking reaction proceedfaster. Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a conventional activator, andmercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) is a conventional accelerator. ZnO is alsosometimes used to control the tendency of the polymer to gel. The zincsalt of mercaptobenzothiazole (ZMBT) combines features of both of theseconventional additives.

As can be seen from the above, methods are known to improve the mixingof asphalt and polymer compositions. The needed elements for thecommercial success of any such process include keeping the process assimple as possible, reducing the cost of the ingredients, and utilizingavailable asphalt cuts from a refinery without having to blend in morevaluable fractions. In addition, the resulting asphalt composition mustmeet the above-mentioned governmental physical properties andenvironmental concerns. Thus, it is a goal of the industry to maintainor reduce the cost of the polymers and crosslinking agents added to theasphalt without sacrificing any of the other elements and improving theproperties of the asphalt and polymer compositions as much as possible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is provided, in one non-restrictive form, a method for preparingasphalt and polymer compositions that involves heating an asphalt,adding an elastomeric polymer and an inorganic acid to the asphalt inany order to form a mixture, where the proportion of inorganic acidranges from about 0.05 to about 2 wt % based on the total mixture. Acrosslinker is added to the mixture after the addition of the acid. Thecrosslinker may be added before or after the polymer. The mixture isthen cured to give a polymer modified asphalt (PMA). In one non-limitingembodiment, the PMA has an improved high temperature property ascompared with an identical PMA absent the inorganic acid, where theproperty is ODSR and/or RTFO fail temperatures. In one non-restrictiveembodiment, the PMA is produced in commercial scale quantities, whichmay include a quantity sufficient to surface a roof or a quantitysufficient to surface a road, and the like.

In another non-restrictive embodiment, there are provided polymermodified asphalt (PMA) compositions prepared by heating an asphalt andadding an elastomeric polymer and an inorganic acid to the asphalt inany order to form a mixture. The proportion of inorganic acid rangesfrom about 0.05 to about 2 wt % based on the total mixture. Acrosslinker is added to the mixture after the addition of the acid. Themixture is cured to give a polymer modified asphalt (PMA). Theinnovations herein include roads made from these PMAs as well as methodsof building such roads, and roofs sealed with these PMAs along withmethods for sealing roofs with these PMAs. Recycled asphaltsincorporating the PMAs herein may be used, and aggregates coated withthe PMAs herein are also contemplated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It has been discovered that improvements in rubber/asphalt compatibilitymay be obtained by treating an asphalt with acid prior to the additionof a crosslinker, where the polymer may be added at any time. While acidtreatments of asphalts are known, it is unknown that the sequence ofaddition makes a difference in the properties or quality of the asphaltproduced. Adding the acid to the asphalt prior to the crosslinker, or asubstantially effective amount of crosslinker, gives a polymer modifiedasphalt with improved high temperature properties. These improvedproperties include, but are not necessarily limited to, ODSR failtemperature (original DSR) and RTFO fail temperature. By a“substantially effective amount of crosslinker” is meant enough tocrosslink to a measurable extent.

As used herein, the term “bitumen” (sometimes referred to as “asphalt”)refers to all types of bitumens, including those that occur in natureand those obtained in petroleum processing. The choice of bitumen willdepend essentially on the particular application intended for theresulting bitumen composition. Bitumens that can be used can have aninitial viscosity at 140° F. (60° C.) of 600 to 3000 poise (60 to 300Pa-s) depending on the grade of asphalt desired. The initial penetrationrange (ASTM D5) of the base bitumen at 77° F. (25° C.) is 20 to 320 dmm,and can be 50 to 150 dmm, when the intended use of the copolymer-bitumencomposition is road paving. Bitumens that do not contain any copolymer,sulfur, etc., are sometimes referred to herein as a “base bitumen.”

“Elastomeric Polymers” are natural or synthetic rubbers and include, butare not necessarily limited to, butyl, polybutadiene, polyisoprene orpolyisobutene rubber, ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer, polyacrylate,polymethacrylate, polychloroprene, polynorbornene,ethylene/propylene/diene (EPDM) terpolymer and advantageously a randomor block copolymer of a vinyl aromatic compound, e.g. styrene, andconjugated dienes. In one non-limiting embodiment, styrene/conjugateddiene block copolymers may be used that are linear, radial, ormulti-branched. Styrene/butadiene and styrene/isoprene copolymers havingan average molecular weight of between 30,000 and 300,000 have beenfound to be particularly useful.

“Conjugated dienes” refer to alkene compounds having 2 or more sites ofunsaturation wherein a second site of unsaturation is conjugated to afirst site of unsaturation, i.e., the first carbon atom of the secondsite of unsaturation is gamma (at carbon atom 3) relative to the firstcarbon atom of the first site of unsaturation. Conjugated dienesinclude, by way of non-limiting example, butadiene, isoprene,1,3-pentadiene, and the like.

“Block copolymers of styrene and conjugated-dienes” refer to copolymersof styrene and conjugated-dienes having a linear or radial, tri-blockstructure consisting of styrene-conjugated diene-styrene block unitsthat are copolymers are represented by the formula:S_(x)-D_(y)-S_(z)where D is a conjugated-diene, S is styrene, and x, y and z are integerssuch that the number average molecular weight of the copolymer is fromabout 30,000 to about 300,000. These copolymers are well known to thoseskilled in the art and are either commercially available or can beprepared from methods known in the art. Such tri-block copolymers may bederived from styrene and a conjugated-diene, wherein theconjugated-diene is butadiene or isoprene. Such copolymers may contain15 to 50 percent by weight copolymer units derived from styrene,alternatively may contain 20 to 35 percent derived from styrene, andthen again may contain 28 to 31 percent derived from styrene, theremainder being derived from the conjugated diene. These copolymers mayhave a number average molecular weight range between about 50,000 andabout 200,000, and alternatively have a number average molecular weightrange between about 80,000 and about 180,000. The copolymer can employ aminimal amount of hydrocarbon oil in order to facilitate handling.Examples of suitable solvents include plasticizer solvent that is anon-volatile aromatic oil. However, when the hydrocarbon oil is avolatile solvent (as defined above), care should be taken to ensure thatthe amount of solvent contained in the final bitumen composition is lessthan about 3.5 weight percent.

In one non-limiting embodiment, the elastomeric polymer is present in aproportion of from about 1 to about 20 wt % of the asphalt/polymermixture. In another, non-restrictive form, the polymer is present in anamount of from about 1 to about 6 wt % of the mixture.

The term “sulfur is defined herein as elemental sulfur in any of itsphysical forms, whereas the term sulfur-containing derivative” includesany sulfur-donating compound, but not elemental sulfur. Sulfur-donatingcompounds are well known in the art and include various organiccompositions or compounds that generate sulfur under the mixing orpreparation conditions. In one non-limiting embodiment, the elementalsulfur is in powder form known as flowers of sulfur. Othersulfur-containing derivatives or species that can be used hereininclude, but are not necessarily limited to mercaptobenzothiazole,thiurams, dithiocarbamates, sulfur-containing oxazoles, thiazolederivatives, and the like, and combinations thereof. “Thiazolederivatives” include, but are not necessarily limited to, compoundshaving the necessary functional group to serve as sulfur donors, such as—N═C(R)—S—, including oxazoles. In another non-limiting embodiment, thesulfur and/or other crosslinker is present in an amount ranging fromabout 0.01 to about 0.75 wt %, alternatively from about 0.06% to about0.3 wt. % based on the asphalt, and in another non-limiting embodimentis present in an amount from about 0.08 to about 0.2 wt. %. As notedearlier, the zinc salt of mercaptobenzothiazole (ZMBT) combines featuresof conventional additives. Other metal salts of MBT may also be useful.

Acceptable crosslinkers, in one non-limiting embodiment, are thiurampolysulfides. In another non-limiting embodiment, the thiurampolysulfides have the formula:

where R¹ and R² are the same or different alkyl substituents having from1 to 4 carbon atoms, and wherein M is a metal selected from zinc, bariumor copper, and n is 0 or 1. In another non-limiting embodiment, acrosslinking temperature range for thiuram polysulfides of formula (I)is above 180° C. (356° F.), alternatively, the crosslinking temperaturerange may be between about 130 and about 205° C. (280-400° F.). Thiurampolysulfides herein include, but are not limited to, zincdialkyldithiocarbamates such as dimethyldithiocarbamate.

The term “desired Rheological Properties” refers primarily to theSUPERPAVE asphalt binder specification designated by AASHTO as MP1 aswill be described below. Additional asphalt specifications can includeviscosity at 140° F. (60° C.) of from 1600 to 4000 poise (160400 Pa-s)before aging; a toughness of at least 110 inch-pound (127 cm-kilograms)before aging; a tenacity of at least 75 inch-pound (86.6 cm-kilograms)before aging; and a ductility of at least 25 cm at 39.2° F. (4° C.) at 5cm/min. pull rate after aging.

Viscosity measurements are made by using ASTM test method D2171.Ductility measurements are made by using ASTM test method D113.Toughness and tenacity measurements are made by a Benson Method ofToughness and Tenacity, run at 20 inches/minute (50.8 cm/minute) pullrate with a ⅛ inch (2.22 cm) diameter ball.

By “storage stable viscosity” it is meant that the bitumen compositionshows no evidence of skinning, settlement, gelation, or graininess andthat the viscosity of the composition does not increase by a factor offour or more during storage at 325±0.5° F. (163±2.8° C.) for seven days.In one non-restrictive version, the viscosity does not increase by afactor of two or more during storage at 325° F. (163° C.) for sevendays. In another non-limiting embodiment, the viscosity increases lessthan 50% during seven days of storage at 325° F. (163° C.). Asubstantial increase in the viscosity of the bitumen composition duringstorage is not desirable due to the resulting difficulties in handlingthe composition and in meeting product specifications at the time ofsale and use.

The term “aggregate” refers to rock and similar material added to thebitumen composition to provide an aggregate composition suitable forpaving roads. Typically, the aggregate employed is rock indigenous tothe area where the bitumen composition is produced. Suitable aggregateincludes granite, basalt, limestone, and the like.

As used herein, the term “asphalt cement” refers to any of a variety ofsubstantially solid or semi-solid materials at room temperature thatgradually liquify when heated. Its predominant constituents arebitumens, which may be naturally occurring or obtained as the residue ofrefining processing. As mentioned, the asphalt cements are generallycharacterized by a penetration (PEN, measured in tenths of a millimeter,dmm) of less than 400 at 25° C., and a typical penetration range between40 and 300 (ASTM Standard, Method D-5). The viscosity of asphalt cementat 60° C. is more than about 65 poise. Asphalt cements are alternatelydefined in terms specified by the American Association of State HighwayTransportation Officials (AASHTO) AR viscosity system.

The asphalt terms used herein are well known to those skilled in theart. For an explanation of these terms, reference is made to the bookletSUPERPAVE Series No. 1 (SP-1), 1997 printing, published by the AsphaltInstitute (Research Park Drive, P.O. Box 14052, Lexington, Ky.405124052), which is hereinafter referred to as MP1 (StandardSpecification for Performance Graded Asphalt Binder). For example,Chapter 2 provides an explanation of the test equipment, terms, andpurposes. Rolling Thin Film Oven (RTFO) and Pressure Aging Vessel (PAV)are used to simulate binder aging (hardening) characteristics. DynamicShear Rheometers (DSR) are used to measure binder properties at high andintermediate temperatures. These are used to predict permanentdeformation or rutting and fatigue cracking. Bending Beam Rheometers(BBRs) are used to measure binder properties at low temperatures. Thesevalues predict thermal or low temperature cracking. The procedures forthese experiments are also described in the above-referenced SUPERPAVEbooklet.

Asphalt grading is given in accordance with accepted standards in theindustry as discussed in the above-referenced Asphalt Institute booklet.For example, pages 62-65 of the booklet include a table entitledPerformance Graded Asphalt Binder Specifications. The asphaltcompositions are given performance grades, for example, PG 64-22. Thefirst number, 64, represents the average 7-day maximum pavement designtemperature in ° C. The second number, −22, represents the minimumpavement design temperature in ° C. Other requirements of each grade areshown in the table. For example, the maximum value for the PAV-DSR test(° C.) for PG 64-22 is 25° C.

One of the methods commonly utilized in the industry to standardize themeasure or degree of compatibility of the rubber with the asphalt isreferred to as the compatibility test. Compatibility tests provide ameasure of the degree of separability of materials comprising theasphalt. The long-term compatibility between rubber and the othercomponents of PMA, for example, is an important consideration whenpreparing road material. If rubber is not compatible with the othercomponents of PMA, then the performance of road materials containing PMAis degraded. Compatibility is assessed by measuring the softening pointof asphalt after a period of thermally-induced aging (for exampleLouisiana DOTD Asphalt Separation of Polymer Test Method TR 326). Thetest is performed on a polymer-modified asphalt mixture comprised ofrubber and asphalt with all the applicable additives, such as thecrosslinking agents. The mixture is placed in tubes, usually made ofaluminum or similar material, referred to as cigar tubes or toothpastetubes. These tubes are about one inch (2.54 cm) in diameter and aboutfifteen centimeters deep. The mixture is placed in an oven heated to atemperature of about 162° C. (320° F.). This temperature isrepresentative of the most commonly used asphalt storage temperature.After the required period of time, most commonly twenty-four (24) hours,the tubes are transferred from the oven to a freezer and cooled down tosolidify. The tubes are kept in the vertical position. After coolingdown, the tubes are cut into thirds; three equal sections. The Ring andBall softening point of the top one third is compared to the softeningpoint of the bottom section. This test gives an indication of theseparation or compatibility of the rubber within the asphalt. The rubberwould have the tendency to separate to the top. The lower the differencein softening point between the top and bottom sections, the morecompatible are the rubber and asphalt. In today's environment, manystates require a difference of 4° F. (2° C.) or less to consider theasphalt/rubber composition as compatible. Few standards allow a higherdifference. The twenty-four hour test is used as a common comparisonpoint. In one non-limiting embodiment, this compatibility test value is20° C. or less.

In accordance with one non-restrictive embodiment, an asphaltcomposition is prepared by adding the asphalt or bitumen to a mixingtank that has stirring means. The asphalt is added and stirred atelevated temperatures. Stirring temperatures depend on the viscosity ofthe asphalt and can range up to 500° F. (260° C.). Asphalt products fromrefinery operations are well known in the art. For example, asphaltstypically used for this process are obtained from deep vacuumdistillation of crude oil to obtain a bottom product of the desiredviscosity or from a solvent deasphalting process that yields ademetallized oil, a resin fraction and an asphaltene fraction. Somerefinery units do not have a resin fraction. These materials or othercompatible oils of greater than 450° F. (232° C.) flash point may beblended to obtain the desired viscosity asphalt.

Rubbers, elastomeric polymers, or thermoplastic elastomers suitable forthis application are well known in the art as described above. Forexample, FINAPRENE® SBS rubber products available from AtofinaElastomers Inc. are suitable for the applications herein. This exampleis not limiting for the inventive technology that can be applied to anysimilar elastomeric product particularly those produced from styrene andbutadiene.

It has been found that the addition of inorganic acids to the asphaltsimproves the properties thereof, and it has been surprisingly discoveredthat the addition of the acid prior to the crosslinker particularlygives better results. It is not known by what mechanism this phenomenonoccurs, such as whether by oxidizing or crosslinking, and the inventionis not limited to any particular mechanism or explanation, although theasphalt seems to be hardened by this method.

Suitable inorganic acids for use in the methods herein include, but arenot necessarily limited to, phosphoric acid, polyphosphoric acid,sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, and mixtures thereof.Herein, phosphoric acid includes polyphosphoric acid. In onenon-limiting embodiment, the proportion of inorganic acid ranges fromabout 0.05 to about 2 wt % based on the total mixture of asphalt, acidand polymer. In another non-restrictive embodiment, the proportion ofinorganic acid ranges from about 0.05 to about 1 wt % based on the totalmixture.

In another non-restrictive embodiment, a metal oxide activator is alsopresent in the asphalt/polymer mixture herein. As mentioned, zinc oxideis a known, conventional activator, and can also be used to suppress theevolution of hydrogen sulfide. Other useful metal oxides include, butare not necessarily limited to, CaO, MgO and CuO as discussed in U.S.Patent Application 2004/0030008 A1, incorporated by reference herein. Inone non-restrictive form, the acid is present in an equimolar amount ofthe ZnO present.

Various other additives suitable for the purposes herein include, butare not necessarily limited to, known and future accelerators,activators, divalent metal oxides (e.g. zinc oxide) and the like. Avariety of accelerators may be used in conjunction herein, including,but not limited to, dithiocarbamates and benzothiazoles. Manycrosslinking agents and other additives are normally sold in powder orflake form.

The methods and compositions described will be further illustrated withrespect to particular Examples that are only intended to more fullyilluminate the compositions and methods and not limit them.

EXAMPLES 1-6

Phosphoric acid in low concentrations improved the high-temperature MP1properties of neat and polymer modified asphalt. Concentrations of acidfrom 0.1 to 0.3 wt % improved the ODSR Fail Temperature of neat asphaltby 2 to 2.5° C. The RTFO DSR Fail Temperature of neat asphalt wasimproved by approximately 4° C. at 0.1 to 0.3 wt % acid. The limitingRTFO DSR Fail Temperature of PMA with 0.1 to 0.3 wt % phosphoric acidwas raised 3 to 4° C. Low temperature properties were not significantlyaffected.

The materials used in Examples 1-6 included a base asphalt, FINAPRENE502 SBS polymer (FP502), ZnO, MBT, sulfur, and phosphoric acid. Theexperimental formulation and initial procedures are given in Table I.TABLE I Formulations of Examples 1-6 Example Formulation and InitialProcedure 1 Grade the base asphalt according to MP1. 2 Formulate a blendcomposed of 99.9 wt % base asphalt and 0.1 wt % phosphoric acid; MP1grade. 3 Formulate a blend composed of 99.7 wt % base asphalt and 0.3 wt% phosphoric acid; MP1 grade. 4 Formulate a PMA (Control) blend composedof 96 wt % base asphalt and 4 wt % FP502; crosslink with 0.06 wt %ZnO/0.06 wt % MBT/0.12 wt % S. Test for compatibility, MP1 grade, andmeasure the 135° C. Viscosity. 5 Formulate a PMA blend composed of 96 wt% base asphalt, 4 wt % FP502, and 0.1 wt % phosphoric acid; crosslinkwith 0.6 ZnO/0.06 MBT/0.12 S. Test for Compatibility, MP1 Grade, andmeasure the 135° C. Viscosity. 6 Formulate a PMA blend composed of 96 wt% base asphalt, 4 wt % FP502, and 0.3 wt % phosphoric acid; crosslinkwith 0.6 ZnO/0.06 MBT/0.12 S. Test for Compatibility, MP1 Grade, andmeasure the 135° C. Viscosity.Procedure

The asphalt sample was heated to 350° F. (177° C.) with low shearmixing. The designated acid was added and stirring the sample continuedfor 10 minutes. PMA formulations were mixed according to the followingprocedure, after acid addition (where applicable):

The asphalt sample was heated to 350° F. (177° C.) with low shearmixing. The mixing was changed to high shear and the polymer added.Mixing continued on high shear for 1 hour at 350° F. (177° C.). Themixing was reduced to low shear. The crosslinking agents were added andmixing continued on low shear at 350° F. (177° C.) for 1 hour. The PMAmixture was aged in the oven at 325° F. (163° C.) for 24 hours. Thecured asphalt was tested for 24/48-hour Compatibility, MP1 grade, andthe 135° C. Rotational Viscosity measured. Observations were noted (e.g.gelling, film formation, lumps, smoke, etc.).

Test results for the blends of neat asphalt modified with phosphoricacid are presented in Table II. TABLE II Base Asphalt Modified withPhosphoric Acid Examples Units 1 (Control) 2 (Inv.) 3 (Inv.) BaseAsphalt Wt % 100 99.9 99.7 Phosphoric Acid Wt % 0.1 0.3 Binder DSR ° C.66.3 68.2 68.8 RTFO DSR ° C. 67.8 71.7 72.3 PAV DSR ° C. 23.0 24.0 25.1m-Value ° C. −14.8 −14.1 −14.0 S-Value ° C. −15.8 −16.2 −16.4

As shown in Example 2, the addition of 0.1 wt % phosphoric acid onlyraised the ODSR (original DSR or binder DSR) Fail Temperature by 1.9° C.However, the RTFO DSR Fail Temperature was improved by 3.9° C. Anincrease in the phosphoric acid concentration to 0.3 wt % (Example 3)marginally improved the high-temperature properties, compared to theblend with 0.1 wt % additive phosphoric acid. There was no change inlow-temperature properties with phosphoric acid addition. There was aslight increase in the PAV DSR Fail Temperature upon acid addition. Theincrease in PAV DSR Fail Temperature could be a concern in asphaltswhere PAV DSR Fail Temperature is at or near the specification maximumof 25° C.

PMA produced from the phosphoric acid-treated base stock showedimprovement in high-temperature properties. The test results from thePMA blends are presented in Table III. TABLE III PMA formulated fromBase Asphalt Treated with Phosphoric Acid. Examples Units 1 (Cont.) 4(Cont.) 5 (Inv.) 6 (Inv.) Base Asphalt Wt % 100 96 96 96 FP502 Wt % 4 44 ZnO Wt % 0.06 0.06 0.06 MBT Wt % 0.06 0.06 0.06 Sulfur Wt % 0.12 0.120.12 Phosphoric Acid 0.1 0.3 Binder DSR ° C. 66.3 83.4 85.3 86.7 RTFODSR ° C. 67.8 81.2 84.6 85.0 PAV DSR ° C. 23.0 −18.8 21.1 20.7 m-Value °C. −14.8 −17.5 −16.5 −16.4 S-Value ° C. −15.8 −20.4 −20.7 −20.2 48 hr °F. 4.7 1.4 6.6 Compatibility (° C.) (2.6) (0.78) (3.7) 48 hr ° F. N/A0.7 18.3 Compatibility (° C.) (0.39) (10.2) 135° C. Pa*s 1.92 2.35 2.85Viscosity

Addition of 0.1 wt % phosphoric acid to the PMA raised the ODSR FailTemperature of the PMA by 1.9° C. More importantly, the MP-1-limitingRTFO DSR Fail Temperature was raised by 3.4° C., showing an improvementin the high-temperature MP1 properties. There was a slight increase inthe PAV DSR Fail Temperature of the PMA, but the final PAV DSR FailTemperature was well below the specification maximum of 28° C. Thelow-temperature properties were effectively unchanged. The PMAformulated from the base treated with 0.1 wt % phosphoric acid wasrubber compatible with a separation of 0.7° F. (0.39° C.) after 48 hrs.The PMA formulated from the base treated with 0.3 wt % phosphoric acidwas not compatible with a measured separation of 18.3° F. (10.2° C.)after 48 hrs. The MP1 properties of the 0.3 wt % acid-treated PMA werenot significantly improved compared to the PMA from the 0.1 wt %-treatedbase.

EXAMPLES 7-14

In Examples 1-6, acid addition was shown to have beneficial effects onthe high-temperature properties of neat asphalt and PMA. A secondasphalt base stock, with poor high-temperature MP1 properties whenmodified with rubber, was treated with phosphoric or sulfuric acid, andtested for MP1 properties in Examples 7-14. The PMA was formulated fromthe acid-treated base stock, or the PMA was treated with acid aftercrosslinking.

The materials used in Examples 7-14 included the second base asphalt,FINAPRENE 502 SBS polymer (FP502), ZnO, MBT, sulfur, phosphoric acid andsulfuric acid. The experimental formulation and initial procedures aregiven in Table IV. Zinc oxide in the amount of 0.2 wt % was added to thebase stock before MP1 grading or PMA formulation TABLE IV Formulationsof Examples 7-14 Ex. Formulation and Initial Procedure 7 MP1 Gradesecond base asphalt. 8 2.0% FP502 in 98% second base asphalt,crosslinked with 0.06 wt % MBT/12 wt % S. 9 Treatment of asphalt with0.1 wt % sulfuric acid. 10 Treatment with 0.1 wt % sulfuric acidfollowed by polymer modification with 2.0 wt % FP502 in 98% second baseasphalt, crosslinked with 0.06 MBT/12S. 11 Polymer modification with2.0% FP502 in 98% second base asphalt, crosslinked with 0.06 MBT/12S;treated with 0.1 wt % sulfuric acid one hour after crosslinker addition.12 Treatment of asphalt with 0.1 wt % phosphoric acid. 13 Treatment with0.1 wt % phosphoric acid followed by polymer modification with 2.0%FP502 in 98% second base asphalt, crosslinked with 0.06 MBT/12S. 14Polymer modification with 2.0% FP502 in 98% second base asphalt,crosslinked with 0.06 MBT/12S; treat with 0.1 wt % phosphoric acid onehour after crosslinker addition.Procedure

The following mixing procedures were used for the acid-modified asphaltand PMA blends:

The asphalt was heated to 350° F. (177° C.) with low shear mixing. Thespecified acid was added and the mixture stirred for 10 minutes. Forblends with no additional polymer modification, heating continued at350° F. (177° C.) for one 10 hour. The mixture was aged for 24 hrs at325° F. (163° C.).

For PMA blends, please note when the acid addition was made. Mixing wasset to high shear and the FP502 polymer added. Mixing continued on highshear for 1 hour at 350° F. (177° C.). Mixing was reduced to low shear.The crosslinking agents were added and mixing continued on low shear at350° F. (177° C.) for 1 hour. The PMA mixture was aged in the oven at325° F. (163° C.) for 24 hours. The resulting cured asphalts were testedfor 48-hour compatibility and were MP1 graded. The 135° C. BrookfieldViscosity values were measured. Observations were noted (e.g. gelling,film formation, lumps, smoke, etc.).

Treatment of the neat asphalt with 0.1 wt % sulfuric acid (ComparativeExample 9) resulted in only modest improvement in the limiting RTFO DSRFail Temperature and no improvement in the ODSR Fail Temperature. ThePAV DSR Fail Temperature was increased outside of the specificationmaximum of 25° C. There was no change in the low-temperature properties.PMA produced from the sulfuric acid-treated base (Inventive Example 10)showed no effective change in the ODSR Fail Temperature, compared to theControl Blend (Comparative Example 9), but did show a 3° C. improvementin the limiting RTFO DSR Fail Temperature. The results were intermediatefor the PMA in which the acid was added after crosslinking (ComparativeExample 11). Test results for the blends treated with sulfuric acid arepresented in Table V. TABLE V Properties of PAR asphalt and PMA treatedwith sulfuric acid. 7 8 9 10 11 Units (Comp.) (Comp.) (Comp.) (Inv.)(Comp.) Second base Wt % 100 99.9 98 98 98 asphalt Sulfuric Acid Wt %0.1 0.1* 0.1** FP502 Wt % 2 2 2 MBT Wt % 0.06 0.06 0.06 Sulfur Wt % 0.120.12 0.12 Binder DSR ° C. 65.9 66.9 71.4 71.0 71.5 RTFO DSR ° C. 64.967.5 68.1 71.1 70.1 PAV DSR ° C. 20.5 28.7 23.1 24.9 26.2 m-Value ° C.−11.6 −11.6 −13.1 −12.0 −11.6 S-Value ° C. −12.8 −13.0 −13.4 −13.0 −13.124-hour ° F. 5.9 4.5 4.6 Compatibility (° C.) (3.3) (2.5) (2.5) 135° C.kPa 0.783 0.833 0.855 Viscosity Response ° C./% 1.60 3.05 2.60 Factor*Acid added 10 minutes prior to crosslinker addition.**Acid added 1 hr after crosslinker addition.

None of the PMA blends with sulfuric acid treatment were compatibleafter 24 hrs. However, there was improvement in the compatibility inExamples 10 and 11 compared to the control blend (Example 9, Table V).Nevertheless, it is known that this asphalt is compatible after 48 hrswith crosslinked FP502 modification.

Treatment of the neat asphalt with 0.1 wt % phosphoric acid resulted inonly modest improvement in the limiting RTFO DSR Fail Temperature and noimprovement in the ODSR Fail Temperature (Example 12). The PAV DSR FailTemperature was increased outside of the specification maximum of 25° C.There was no change in the low-temperature properties. PMA produced fromthe phosphoric acid-treated base showed no effective change in the ODSRFail Temperature (Example 13), compared to the control blend (Example 9,Table VI), but did show a 2.4° C. improvement in the limiting RTFO DSRFail Temperature. The results were intermediate for the PMA in which theacid was added after crosslinking (Example 14). Test results for theblends treated with phosphoric acid are presented in Table VI. TABLE VIProperties of PAR asphalt and PMA treated with phosphoric acid. ExamplesCom. Com. Com. Inv. Com. Units 7 12 9 13 14 2nd base Wt % 100 99.9 98 9898 asphalt Phosphoric Wt % 0.1 0.1* 0.1** Acid FP502 Wt % 2 2 2 MBT Wt %0.06 0.06 0.06 Sulfur Wt % 0.12 0.12 0.12 Binder DSR ° C. 65.9 66.3 71.471.2 72.1 RTFO DSR ° C. 64.9 66.2 68.1 70.5 69.6 PAV DSR ° C. 20.5 27.423.1 25.6 25.7 m-Value ° C. −11.6 −11.4 −13.1 −12.1 −12.1 S-Value ° C.−12.8 −11.9 −13.4 −12.9 −13.0 24-hr ° F. 5.9 1.2 1.3 Compatibility (3.3)(0.6) (0.7) 135° C. kPa 0.783 0.800 0.807 Viscosity Response ° C./% 1.602.80 2.35 Factor*Acid added 10 minutes prior to crosslinker addition.**Acid added 1 hr after crosslinker addition.

The PMA blends with phosphoric acid treated asphalt were rubbercompatible after 24 hours. The improvement in the high-temperature MP1properties was greatest in the PMA blend in which the acid was addedprior to crosslinking.

The addition of about 0.1 wt % phosphoric or sulfuric acid was thusdemonstrated to increase the high-temperature limiting RTFO DSR FailTemperature by approximately 3° C. There was no appreciable change inthe low-temperature SHRP properties. Addition of the acid beforecrosslinking resulted in the greatest improvement in high-temperatureproperties. Intermediate MP1 properties were negatively affected by acidaddition.

In the foregoing specification, the methods and compositions have beendescribed with reference to specific embodiments thereof, and have beendemonstrated as effective in providing methods for preparing asphalt andpolymer compositions with improved high temperature properties. However,it will be evident that various modifications and changes can be made tothe method without departing from the broader spirit or scope of theinvention as set forth in the appended claims. Accordingly, thespecification is to be regarded in an illustrative rather than arestrictive sense. For example, specific combinations or amounts ofasphalt, polymer, crosslinker, acid, activator, accelerator, and othercomponents falling within the claimed parameters, but not specificallyidentified or tried in a particular PMA system, are anticipated andexpected to be within the scope of this innovations discussed herein.Specifically, the method and discovery of the compositions are expectedto work with acids and crosslinkers other than those exemplified herein.

1. A method for preparing asphalt and polymer compositions comprising:heating an asphalt; adding an elastomeric polymer and an inorganic acidto the asphalt in any order to form a mixture, where the proportion ofinorganic acid ranges from about 0.05 to about 2 wt % based on the totalmixture; adding a crosslinker to the mixture after the addition of theacid; and curing the mixture to give a polymer modified asphalt (PMA).2. The method of claim 1 where the elastomeric polymer is a vinylaromatic/conjugated diene elastomer.
 3. The method of claim 2 where theelastomeric polymer is a styrene-butadiene copolymer.
 4. The method ofclaim 1 where the inorganic acid is selected from the group consistingof phosphoric acid, polyphosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrochloricacid, nitric acid, and mixtures thereof.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherethe proportion of inorganic acid ranges from about 0.05 to about 1 wt %based on the total mixture.
 6. The method of claim 1 where thecrosslinker is selected from the group consisting of sulfur,mercaptobenzothiazole and metal salts thereof, thiurams,dithiocarbamates, sulfur-containing oxazoles, thiazole derivatives, andmixtures thereof.
 7. The method of claim 1 where the PMA has an improvedhigh temperature property as compared with an identical PMA absent theinorganic acid, where the property is selected from the group consistingof ODSR and RTFO fail temperatures and combinations thereof.
 8. Themethod of claim 1 where the elastomeric polymer comprises from about 1to about 20 wt % of the asphalt/polymer mixture.
 9. The method of claim1 where the crosslinker is present in an amount ranging from about 0.01to about 0.75 wt %, based on the weight of the asphalt/polymer mixture.10. The method of claim 1 further comprising adding a metal oxideactivator to the asphalt.
 11. The method of claim 10 where the metaloxide activator is zinc oxide.
 12. A method for preparing asphalt andpolymer compositions comprising: heating an asphalt; adding anelastomeric styrene-butadiene copolymer and an inorganic acid to theasphalt in any order to form a mixture, where the proportion ofinorganic acid ranges from about 0.05 to about 1 wt % based on the totalmixture; adding a crosslinker to the mixture after the addition of theacid; and curing the mixture to give a polymer modified asphalt (PMA).13. The method of claim 12 where the inorganic acid is selected from thegroup consisting of phosphoric acid, polyphosphoric acid, sulfuric acid,hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, and mixtures thereof.
 14. The method ofclaim 12 where the crosslinker is selected from the group consisting ofsulfur, mercaptobenzothiazoles and metal salts thereof, thiurams,dithiocarbamates, sulfur-containing oxazoles, thiazole derivatives, andmixtures thereof.
 15. The method of claim 12 where the PMA has animproved high temperature property as compared with an identical PMAabsent the inorganic acid, where the property is selected from the groupconsisting of ODSR and RTFO fail temperatures and combinations thereof.16. The method of claim 12 where the elastomeric polymer comprises fromabout 1 to about 20 wt % of the asphalt/polymer mixture.
 17. The methodof claim 12 where the crosslinker is present in an amount ranging fromabout 0.01 to about 0.75 wt %, based on the weight of theasphalt/polymer mixture.
 18. The method of claim 12 where the PMA isproduced in commercial scale quantities.
 19. The method of claim 12further comprising adding a metal oxide activator to the asphalt. 20.The method of claim 19 where the metal oxide activator is zinc oxide.21. A polymer modified asphalt (PMA) composition prepared by the methodcomprising: heating an asphalt; adding an elastomeric polymer and aninorganic acid to the asphalt in any order to form a mixture, where theproportion of inorganic acid ranges from about 0.05 to about 2 wt %based on the total mixture; adding a crosslinker to the mixture afterthe addition of the acid; and curing the mixture to give a polymermodified asphalt (PMA).
 22. The PMA of claim 21 where the elastomericpolymer is a vinyl aromatic/conjugated diene elastomer.
 23. The PMA ofclaim 22 where the elastomeric polymer is a styrene-butadiene copolymer.24. The PMA of claim 21 where the inorganic acid is selected from thegroup consisting of phosphoric acid, polyphosphoric acid, sulfuric acid,hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, and mixtures thereof.
 25. The PMA ofclaim 21 where the proportion of inorganic acid ranges from about 0.05to about 1 wt % based on the total mixture.
 26. The PMA of claim 21where the crosslinker is selected from the group consisting of sulfur,mercaptobenzothiazoles and metal salts thereof, thiurams,dithiocarbamates, sulfur-containing oxazoles, thiazole derivatives, andmixtures thereof.
 27. The PMA of claim 21 where the PMA has an improvedhigh temperature property as compared with an identical PMA absent theinorganic acid, where the property is selected from the group consistingof ODSR and RTFO fail temperatures and combinations thereof.
 28. The PMAof claim 21 where the elastomeric polymer comprises from about 1 toabout 20 wt % of the asphalt/polymer mixture.
 29. The PMA of claim 21where the crosslinker is present in an amount ranging from about 0.01 toabout 0.75 wt %, based on the weight of the asphalt/polymer mixture. 30.The PMA of claim 21 where the method further comprises adding a metaloxide activator to the asphalt.
 31. The PMA of claim 30 where the metaloxide activator is zinc oxide.
 32. A road made from the PMA of claim 21and aggregate.
 33. A roof sealed with the PMA of claim
 21. 34. A methodof sealing a roof with PMA comprising heating the PMA of claim 21 anddistributing it over at least a portion of roof surface.
 35. A method ofroad building comprising combining the PMA of claim 21 with aggregate toform a road paving material, and using the material to form roadpavement.
 36. A polymer modified asphalt (PMA) composition prepared bythe method comprising: heating an asphalt; adding an elastomericstyrene-butadiene copolymer and an inorganic acid to the asphalt in anyorder to form a mixture, where the proportion of inorganic acid rangesfrom about 0.05 to about 1 wt % based on the total mixture; adding acrosslinker to the mixture after the addition of the acid; and curingthe mixture to give a polymer modified asphalt (PMA).
 37. The PMA ofclaim 36 where the inorganic acid is selected from the group consistingof phosphoric acid, polyphosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrochloricacid, nitric acid, and mixtures thereof.
 38. The PMA of claim 36 wherethe crosslinker is selected from the group consisting of sulfur,mercaptobenzothiazoles and metal salts thereof, thiurams,dithiocarbamates, sulfur-containing oxazoles, thiazole derivatives, andmixtures thereof.
 39. The PMA of claim 36 where the PMA has an improvedhigh temperature property as compared with an identical PMA absent theinorganic acid, where the property is selected from the group consistingof ODSR and RTFO fail temperatures and combinations thereof.
 40. The PMAof claim 36 where the elastomeric polymer comprises from about 1 toabout 20 wt % of the asphalt/polymer mixture.
 41. The PMA of claim 36where the crosslinker is present in an amount ranging from about 0.01 toabout 0.75 wt %, based on the weight of the asphalt/polymer mixture. 42.The PMA of claim 36 where the method further comprises adding a metaloxide activator to the asphalt.
 43. The PMA of claim 42 where the metaloxide activator is zinc oxide.
 44. A method of recycling asphaltcomprising physically removing asphalt from a location and reducing thesize of the removed asphalt, heating the removed asphalt, adding aninorganic acid to the asphalt to form a mixture, adding a crosslinker tothe mixture after the acid is added.
 45. The method of claim 44 furthercomprising an elastomeric polymer to the asphalt.
 46. Recycled asphaltmade by the process of claim
 44. 47. Aggregate comprising a PMA at leastpartially coating the aggregate, where the PMA comprises asphalt, anelastomeric polymer, an inorganic acid, and a crosslinker, where thecrosslinker was added to the asphalt after the inorganic acid.